It is not always necessary to prune cannabis plants, but there are reasons why growers do prune them. The first reason is that it will encourage growth, and it allows light to reach leaves that were hidden and are not mature. There is also another reason with some strains, this is cannabis plants that naturally are bushy, and the thickness when clipped allows sap to move freely to the top of the plant to the buds. Resin covered buds is what the grower is after and if the marijuana plant is left not pruned the sap does not move to the top of the plant as freely and that means buds with less resin.

Pruning the cannabis plant is done using a razor and is done in one slice so that the plant has a clean cut and is not shredded. The top that is pruned off can have the stem sliced diagonally and placed in dirt where it will grow roots. The diagonal cut is to allow a more open space on the stem for it to nourish the plant, and it will then grow leaves.  It is also possible to root the plants in water and then place them in dirt or to use rooting powder.